May 1998
Richard Rider makes serious bid for San Diego tax collector
Anti-tax crusader plans high-profile campaign for "winnable" office
Richard Rider, an LP activist who made his reputation opposing taxes at the local, county, and state level, has announced that he is running for the office of San Diego County Treasurer & Tax Collector.Rider said his campaign -- which he admitted is "heavy with irony" -- offers him a realistic opportunity to win "what is by far the largest race ever won by a Libertarian."
The election will be held June 2. If none of the seven candidates in the non-partisan race wins more than 50% of the vote, there will be a run-off election in November.
"I think that with all the notoriety I've received, it is apparent that I am the odds on favorite," said Rider.
If that happens, he said, "The job would be the biggest election victory in the history of the LP. This election is larger than four Congressional districts with over 2.8 million residents."
Rider, 52, is perhaps best known for his successful 1988 lawsuit against San Diego County, which overturned a $1.5 billion sales tax. He also spearheaded the fight against a proposed $66 million bond deal to enlarge the local professional football team's stadium, and against a tax-funded convention center in San Diego.
"My taxpayer activities have resulted in an incredible amount of publicity," he said. "There is no one in the county with better or more positive name recognition as a taxpayer advocate."
As a result, he said, "According to the media, I am now the front runner."
If elected, Rider said he would serve as a watchdog inside government. "As county treasurer, I can monitor how taxes are collected, invested and spent with the county. I have a proven record as a taxpayer advocate."
For information about the Rider campaign, or to contribute, call (619) 530-1776. E-mail: drider@aol.com. Mail: 10969 Red Cedar Drive, San Diego, CA 92131.
